Lyric Opera Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Lyric Opera of Chicago. Here you will find current audition opportunities across the company.

Singers and instrumentalists wishing to receive audition information from Lyric Opera of Chicago or The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center may contact the appropriate administrators as follows:

Enrique Mazzola, Music Director Announces the following vacancies: Principal Horn

Auditions to be held September 24-28, 30, 2024
Successful candidate to start in September 2025

In the 2025/26 Season, the successful candidate may receive:

• 21-week contract (September – April)
• Base rate, 30% overscale, and 18% vacation pay to equal $101,600
• Benefits Package (11.99% Pension; Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Instrument Insurance)

For further information, and to receive audition materials, please email [email protected]

To audition, please send your resume and a $50 refundable deposit to*:
Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra Auditions
Principal Horn
20 North Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

*Please note that audition times will be granted upon receipt of $50 deposit.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ONLY
Vacancies resulting from the selection of a current Lyric Opera Orchestra member for any position may be filled at this time by any other applicant who advances to the finals in these auditions.

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If you are interested in being considered for Lyric Opera of Chicago's "substitute" musicians list, you may send your résumé at any time.

If you would like to be considered as a substitute musician, or would like more information regarding the open position(s) within the orchestra, please email [email protected] with inquiries.

There are no chorus auditions currently scheduled.

There are no Lyric Unlimited auditions currently scheduled.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's music staff consists of cover conductors, répétiteurs, and prompters. If you you like to be considered for a position on Lyric Opera's music staff, please email your résumé and references to [email protected]. If you are interested in cover conducting and have conducting reels available to you, please be sure to include them.

Alternate contact information is:
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Music Staff Auditions
20 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

There are no musical theater auditions currently scheduled.

Some productions may require individuals with special talents to perform on stage, including:

• Ballet
• Children's Chorus
• Supernumeraries ("extras")
• Actors

Auditions for these roles are conducted on an "as needed" basis only; to find out about current/upcoming opportunities, please call the Audition Hotline at 312.827.3548. 

Lyric grants auditions for principal roles to professional opera singers on an invitation-only basis. The artist's management should contact Lyric's Artistic Administrator or email [email protected] with requests for an audition.

To obtain an information packet about becoming a supernumerary at Lyric Opera of Chicago, please send your information to Bill Walters, super captain, at [email protected].

For additional information, please call the supernumerary hotline at 312.827.3538.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is not currently accepting applications. Learn more about Ryan Opera Center auditions here.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg